Adjustable support



1964 AMARILLAS I ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed y 27, 1963 INVENTOR. ioaauzo Amrzmas c/ Mh MTQENEY Dec. 22, 1964 L. AMARILLAS 3,162,416

ADJUSTABLE. SUPPORT Filed May 27, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- IN VEN TOR. LORENZO AMARILLAS ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 3,162,416 ADJUSTABLE SUHDRT Lorenzo Amarillas, Av. Juarez 100, 9th Floor, Mexico City, Mexico Filed May 27, 1963, Ser. No. 283,378 8 Claims. (Cl. 248244) This invention relates in general to supports, and in particular to hollow standards or supports having supporting elements adjustably positioned therein, said hollow standards or supports being vertically mounted for reception of horizontally disposed shelves, racks or the like; or horizontally mounted for adjustably positioning substantially vertically disposed dividers, rests, or other members as will be more clearly described hereinafter.

This specication includes modifications of the structure shown in and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application on Adjustable Support, Serial Number 185,427, filed April 5, 1962, now abandoned.

In the conception of the invention a supporting means was sought which would be simple in form and construction, and would provide a plurality of positions whereby adjustments could be easily and quickly made for a rack or shelf to be received on a plurality of the supporting elements at any desired level, said adjustable supporting elements being spring-urged into adjusted position to prevent accidental removal thereof.

It was further contemplated in the conception of the invention that the same supporting means could be mounted horizontally for horizontal adjustment of the supporting elements to adjust the back support in a filing cabinet, or the back of a seat, or a baggage compartment wall in an airplane, car or other vehicle.

It is also desirable in certain instances to provide more positive retention of the adjustable supporting elements in the standards and elongated supports and several modifications were made to accomplish this purpose.

\Vith these general ideas of the conception of my invention in mind, the objects are as follows:

First: to provide a hollow standard provided with spaced slots and made in strip form with an adjustable supporting element slidably movable in the standard and adapted to be positioned in any one of the selected slots whereby a plurality of such standards could be mounted either vertically for use in freezers, refrigerators, cabinets, closets, show cases or the like; or horizontally in filing cabinets, in airplanes or cars for seat backs or luggage compartment walls, etc.

Second: to provide a spring member on the adjustable supporting element normally urging said supporting element into slot engaging position.

Third: to provide slotted standards to be stocked in various lengths, or in one stock length and to be cut to any desired length for installation as required in each individual case.

Fourth: to provide an alternate form of my invention using a flat slotted plate fastened in place over a channel preformed in the structure on which the support is to be used, the spring-urged adjustable supporting element riding in the passageway or track formed by the channel and the slotted plate.

Fifth: to provide another alternate form of my invention in which the standard or support for the adjustable element is provided with a plurality of slots having one open end to receive the adjustable supporting element, and an angularly related or disposed slot at the closed end of the first mentioned slot in which the adjustable supporting element may be retained against accidental removal.

Sixth: to provide in an alternate form of my invention, sufficient angle to the open-ended slot whereby the force of gravity will aid in the entrance and retention of the Patented Dec. 22, 1964 adjustable supporting element in said slot and in the angularly related or disposed slot.

These, and other objects, as well as the construction and manner of use of my invention in various forms will be apparent by reference to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a slotted standard and an adjustable supporting element in supporting position on the standard.

FIG. 2 is a similar view with the adjustable supporting element shown removed from a slot as it would appear when being moved from one position to another.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of what may be a refrigerator or any vertical cabinet or closet with a plurality of shelves adapted for easy vertical adjustment by means of my invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary isometric view of a horizontal fixture such as a Deepfreeze in which my slotted standards may be installed for vertical disposition of various shelves within the Deepfreeze.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a filing cabinet drawer in which the slotted supports are horizontally positioned for adjustment of the back vertical member according to the contents of the file drawer.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical view of the invention in use for the back of an airplane seat, or for a divider in a luggage compartment of a car or airplane, or the like, this same view representing use in a filing cabinet.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary isometric view showing a modification in which a longitudinal channel is provided to receive the supporting device thereby making a flush mounting.

FIG. 8 is a further modification of my invention in which the channel formed in the structure on which it is desired to use my invention is covered by a flat slotted plate to provide in combination with the existing channel, a slotted supporting structure as in the form where the completely formed standard is installed.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a portion of a modified standard or elongated support with one of the adjustable supporting elements positioned therein, parts being broken away to better illustrate certain other parts.

FIG. 10 is a vertical elevational view of the same with the adjustable supporting element being manually urged out of slot engaging position prepartory to being moved to another location.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a further modified form of my invention.

FIG. 12 shows a fragment of the modified elongated support in horizontal position for use in a filing cabinet or the like.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of a further modified form of my invention in which a preformed channel in the structure on which the device is to be used is made a part of the supporting structure.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference, 1 indicates a standard forming a part of my invention in one of its forms, said standard having a back portion 2, transverse edge flanges 3 and 3', oppositely disposed flanges 4 and 5 substantially paralleling the back portion 2 and spaced therefrom to form a hollow passageway 6 in which is received one or more supporting elements 7. The flanges 4 and 5 are spaced one from the other to provide a longitudinal slot 8 for said supporting element 7.

The supporting element 7 is formed with a finger 9 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the track, and an angular portion or leg 10 normally lying in the passageway 6, a projection or leg 11- extending at substantially right angles to angular portion 10 and riding in and held captive in the passageway between i 3 the back portion 2 and the flanges 4 and 5 to steady the supporting element in the passageway 6.

Flange 5 is provided with a plurality of spaced slots 12, preferably angularly disposed as illustrated toward either the front or bottom of the standard 1 depending on the manner of track installation.

The finger 9 is adapted to be. received in any one of the slots 12, a spring member 13 carried by the end of the projection or leg 11 and bearing against transverse edge flange 3 normally urging the finger 9 into slot engaging position.

The supporting element 7, therefore, is retained in nonrernovable position within the passageway with the finger 9 urged into slot engaging position by the spring 13, said supporting element 7 being adapted to rock at 14, the juncture between the legs formed by angular portion and projection 11. An end stop 13' may be employed for the standard, or the cabinet in which installed will act as a stop.

By disposing the slots 12 angularly as shown, pressure against the finger 9 will tend to keep said finger in the slot and prevent acc'identalremoval thereof.

FIG. 2 shows the supporting element 7 being moved to a different location or slot. The supporting element 7 is grasped by the finger 9, rocked on portion 14 against the action of the spring 13 until finger 9 is clear of the slot '12 and in alignment with the longitudinal slot 8 at which time the supporting element may .be moved in its passageway 6 to any desired slot 12. Release of 'the finger 9 will permit the spring to urge the finger into the selected slot. The action is quick, easy and positive. Indicia 15 may be provided at every slot or every 5th slot, etc., for easy positioning of all fingers on a plurality of standards at the same relative position. This indicia may be'in the form of numerals, letters 'or color coding.

In FIG. 3 I have shown a vertical cabinet 16 which ture with or without a door 17. Thi cabinet may be provided with a standard 1 at each corner and suitable racks 18 may rest on the adjustable fingers 9 at desired interchangeable heights.

The horizontal cabinet 16' in FIG. 4 may be a Deep freeze or the like with a plurality of standards 1 on which racks 18' rest.

FIG. 5 shows a filing cabinet drawer 19 with horizon tal supports 1 and a back support 20 which may assume the substantial form as shown in FIG. 6, slotted lugs 21 being adapted to engage the fingers 9. Upper supports 1 alone may be used or both upper and lower supports maybe employed.

The illustration designated FIG. 6 may also depict 'a back rest-20 for a seat in an airplane, said rest being adjustable not only fore and aft but angularly by mov ing only the upper finger member 9. The illustration in FIG. 6 can also be interpreted as an adjustable wall in a luggage compartment of a car or airplane when it is desired to reduce the luggage area to' fit the exact amount of luggage carried and thereby prevent shifting ofsaid luggage.

In FIG. 7 I have shown a fragmentary portion of a Wall or panel 22 in which a recessed channel 23 may be formed and the standard 1 forming my invention may be installed in said recessed channel 23 providing a sub stantially flush mounting. V

In a-further modification as illustrated in FIG. 8, the

wall or panel 22 is shown with a similar channel 23'.

3 at the intersectionid of legs ltl and 11.

arrangement may be used with new construction, whereas the first form of my standard may be app-lied to existing structures, where recessed channels do not exist.

Suitable fastening members such as self tapping screws 25 or 25 may be used to secure standards or fiat plate 24 in place. 7 t

In the modifications shown in FIGS. 9-13 the plurality of slots 12 are preferably formed in the flange 5 at an angle of at least with the longitudinal slot 8, one end of slot 12 opening to the longitudinal slotand the other end of 'slot 12 terminating in an angu larly disposed slot 12' of sufiicient depth to receive the finger 9. One or more springs 13- may be provided at the end of the projection or leg 11 and may bear against wall 3' to urge finger 9 into engagement with its selected slot 12 and into position in slot 12'. When it is desired to change the location of a supporting element 7, the finger 9 is contacted and urged outwardly of slots12 and 12 against the force of the spring 13 until said finger is aligned withlongitudinal slot 8, said element 7 being adapted to rock against wall With the finger 9 aligned with slot 8, said finger 9 and'the adjustable supporting element 7 may be moved .to any desired position in alignmentwith another slot 12. Upon release of finger'9, springs '13 will urge the supporting element into supporting position with finger 9 entering slots 1212. v a

Where the elongated 'supports 1 are used horizontally as for instance in a filing cabinet, for airplane seats or luggage compartments and the like, a-m'odified form of my invention as shown in FIG. 11 may be used,although either formwill serve With equal efficiency.

v In this modified form of my invention the slots 12" will be made at substantially right angles to the elongated slot 8 with the angularly related or disposed slot 12 at the bottom of. the slots 12" and extending rearwardly therefrom, the arrow-indicating the direction of the force against the vertical member 20 of FIG. 5.

In this form, the spring 13, as Well as gravity, are forca may be mounted vertically in cabinets, closets, refrigerators, showcases and the like, or horizontally in filing cabinets, luggage compartments of 'vehicles or as seat backs, and which may have a plurality of supporting elements movable along passageways of the supporting structures and movable into and out of selected slots in the supporting structures, with aspring means being provided to urge the supporting elements into selected slot. engaging position. i v V r Obviously, changes in form, proportion and details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention and I reserve the right to all changes which come within the scope of these specificationsrand the claims which follow. I have shown the various manners of use of my invention which come to mind but do not consider that these are its sole uses, and

; others may occur to me or to others and these different recessed in said wall and in this case a flat plate 24 may be mounted across the open face of the channel providing the passageway 6' for reception of the supporting element 7. The plate 24 has the longitudinal slot 8 and angularly disposed spaced slots 12, the modified structure providing the same functional properties as the independently formed standards or supports couses willnot change the principle of the'invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v v

t 1. An adjustable supporting structure comprising an elongated hollow standard (1 s V j the hollow portion of thestandard forming a longitudinal passageway (6),

one surface of the standard being formed by oppositely disposed spaced flanges (4) and (5) defining a longitudinal slot (8) therebetween,

a plurality of spaced slots (12) along one of said flanges (5),

one end of each slot (12) opening to the longitudinal slot (3), the other end of each slot (12) terminating in an angularly disposed slot (12), a slidable supporting element ('7) received in the longitudinal passageway (6) of the supporting structure, said supporting element (7) comprising a pair of angularly related legs (11?) and (11) held slidably captive in the longitudinal passageway (6), a finger (9) projecting transversely from an end of one of said legs (10),

said finger being adapted to ride in and extend from the longitudinal slot (8) and to be received by any oneof the spaced slots (12) and its complementary angularly disposed slot (12') in the flange (5), and a spring member (13) carried by the supporting element urging the finger into engagement with the selected slots (12) and (12).

2. The structure as specified in claim 1, said spaced slots (12) in a vertical standard (1) being formed at a declining angle downwardly from the open end of said spaced slots (12).

3. The structure as specified in claim 2, said angularly disposed slots (12) being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow standard, and downwardly disposed from the slots (12).

4. The structure as specified in claim 2, the angle of said spaced slots (12) being at least 60 with the iongitudinal axis of the elongated hollow standard (1).

5. An adjustable supporting structure comprising an elongated hollow standard (1) the hollow portion of the standard forming a longitudinal passageway (6), one surface of the standard being formed by oppositely disposed spaced flanges (4) and (5) defining a longitudinal slot therebetween,

a plurality of spaced slots (12) along one of said 6 flanges (5) and opening to the longitudinal slot said slots (12) extending into the flange (5) at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal slot (8),

a slidable supporting element (7 recevied in the longitudinal passageway (6) of the supporting structure, said supporting element (7) comprising a pair of angulat'ly related legs (10) and (11) held slidably captive in the longitudinal passageway (6),

a finger (9) projecting transversely from an end of one of said legs (1%),

said finger being adapted to ride in and extend from the longitudinal slot (8) and to be received by any selected one of the spaced slots (12) in the flange (5), and a spring member (13) carried by the supporting element urging the finger into engagement with the selected spaced slot (12).

6. The structure as specified in claim 5, said spaced slots (12) in a vertical standard (1) being formed at a declining angle downwardly from the open end of said spaced slots (12).

7. The structure as specified in claim 5, said slidable supporting element (7) being rockable from notch engaging position to sliding position Within the passageways by contact at the juncture of the angularly related legs (it!) and (11).

8. The structure as specified in claim 5, said oppositely disposed flanges (4) and (5) being of different Widths, flange (4) being of minimum width necessary for retention of the end of leg (11) and the spring (13),

the other flange (5) being of a width at least equal to the diameter of the finger (9), said spaced slots (12) being of a depth at least equivalent to the diameter of the finger (9).

References fitted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 498,945 Smith June 6, 1893 552,579 Hoffman Jan. 7, 1896 716,852 Baker Dec. 30, 1962 1,055,201 Mason -1 Mar. 4, 1913 1,064,382 Sampson June 10, 1913 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HOLLOW STANDARD (1), THE HOLLOW PORTION OF THE STANDARD FORMING A LONGITUDINAL PASSAGEWAY (6), ONE SURFACE OF THE STANDARD BEING FORMED BY OPPOSITELY DISPOSED SPACED FLANGES (4) AND (5) DEFINING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT (8) THEREBETWEEN, A PLURALITY OF SPACED SLOTS (12) OPENING TO THE FLANGES (5), ONE END OF EACH SLOT (12) OPENING TO THE LONGITUDINAL SLOT (8), THE OTHER END OF EACH SLOT (12) TERMINATING IN AN ANGULARLY DISPOSED SLOT (12''), A SLIDABLE SUPPORTING ELEMENT (7) RECEIVED IN THE LONGITUDINAL PASSAGEWAY (6) OF THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, SAID SUPPORTING ELEMENT (7) COMPRISING A PAIR OF ANGULARLY RELATED LEGS (10) AND (11) HELD SLIDABLY CAPTIVE IN THE LONGITUDINAL PASSAGEWAY (6), A FINGER (9) PROJECTING TRANSVERSELY FROM AN END OF ONE OF SAID LEGS (10), SAID FINGER BEING ADAPTED TO RIDE IN AND EXTEND FROM THE LONGITUDINAL SLOT (8) AND TO BE RECEIVED BY ANY ONE OF THE SPACED SLOTS (12) AND ITS COMPLEMENTARY ANGULARLY DISPOSED SLOT (12'') IN THE FLANGE (5), AND A SPRING MEMBER (13) CARRIED BY THE SUPPORTING ELEMENT URGING THE FINGER INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SELECTED SLOTS (12) AND (12''). 